JACKSON, MI – Would roads in townships improve if the county road department offered to pick up part of the bill?

The director of the Jackson County Department of Transportation is hoping it will. While the road department currently matches some township road projects, there is not a formal policy that treats each township fairly, making it difficult for the road department to disburse funds equally, according to JCDOT Director Jerry Peterson.

When the department is out of matching funds, some townships are left out.

The road department is hoping the Jackson County Board of Commissioners will approve a proposed policy that would pay either 50 or 30 percent of township road projects. The road department would pay 50 percent for smaller maintenance projects like re-graveling and milling. Larger projects like paving or seal coating would require the township to pay 70 percent of the bill and the road department the remaining 30 percent.

“It’s a win-win, townships get us to put in some money towards their roads allowing them to do more projects,” Peterson said. “If we invest one time (with matches) it saves us money in the long run and everybody wins.

Peterson is hoping the move will allow JCDOT crews to perform long term maintenance with township collaboration, instead of performing short-term fixes.

It would also help townships plan and budget for road projects.

The board of commissioners will discuss the proposed policy at its 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, monthly study session on the fifth floor of the Jackson County Tower Building, 120 W. Michigan Ave. The board could vote on the policy at its 7 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 18, meeting.